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Origin and history

The Notre-Dame-de-Protection Abbey was founded in 1623 in Cherbourg by John IV of Tourlaville (John IV of Ravalet) for Benedictine nuns. Fleeing from the plague, they moved first to Tourlaville, then to Émondeville, before settling permanently in Valognes in 1626. Temporarily housed at the bishop's mansion, they built their convent from 1631 on a given land, with the laying of the church's first stone in 1635. Charlotte de La Vigne, sister of the founder's wife, became her first abbess. The abbey, erected as a royal abbey, combines classical Louis XIII and Gothic styles, with a square cloister and an elevated choir accessible by a double-revolution staircase.

During the Revolution, the nuns were expelled on 21 September 1792 during the dechristianization. The buildings, confiscated, became a hospice in 1803. The nuns briefly gathered at the Hotel de la Grimonnière (1795), and in 1810 moved to the former convent of the Capuchins. The church, built between 1635 and 1648, preserves a 17th century altarpiece and modern stained glass windows signed by Henri Déchanet (after cartons by Léon Zack).

The abbey bears the traces of its benefactors, like Madame Castel de Saint-Pierre (abbess from 1711 to 1741), whose weapons appear on a limestone plate of the second courtyard. Another carved stone depicts the arms of the Neel, an anobly family of Montebourg, benefactor of the Abbey. The facades and roofs, characteristic of 17th century monastic architecture, have been protected since 1937 as historical monuments.

Today integrated into the hospital of Valognes, the abbey bears witness to the religious and social history of the Cotentin. Its arrow tower, side chapels and monumental staircase make it a remarkable example of Norman heritage, combining spiritual, charitable and hospital functions throughout the centuries.

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